Machine for scorching or drying printing mats and the like



March 28, 1950 D. E. SUTTON 2,501,922 MACHINE FOR SCORCHING OR DRYING PRINTING MATS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1947 I INVENTOR.

Java/0 Z. (fa/fa March 28, 1950 D. E. SUTTON 2,501,922

MACHINE FOR SCORCHING 0R DRYING PRINTING MATS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 3, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Mar. 28, 1950 MACHINE FOR SCORCHING OR DRYING PRINTING MATS AND THE LIKE Donald E. Sutton, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor t Hammond Machinery Builders, Inc.,

mazoo, Mich.

Kala- Application November 3, 1947, Serial No. 783,699

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machine for scorching or drying printing mats and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine for scorching or drying printing mats which is highly efficient permittin the use of relatively high temperatures in the drying or scorching of the mats with a minimum of likelihood of burning or injuring the mats. Second, to provide in a scorching or drying machine an improved cover or hold-down plate which holds the work against wrinkling or buckling while it is being heated and also permits free escape of the vapors and gases released from the work by the heating thereof.

Third, to provide a machine having these advantages which is simple and economical in structure and not likely to be distorted in use.

Other objects and advantages pertainin to the details and economies of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims.

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine embodying my invention with the hold-down cover in closed position, only fragments of the cover screen being illustrated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. l, a printing mat being shown in the machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view with the cover shown in closed po sition by full lines and in open position by dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a pedestal designated generally by the numeral I and comprising a top frame 2 constitutin the side walls of the heating chamber 3 having insulation 4 therein. Electric heating elements 5 are mounted within this chamber in operative relation to the platen consisting of the bed plate 6 which is of metal and of uniform thickness throughout. A facing sheet- 1 is arranged over this platen bed plate n this sheet being desirably of Woven asbestos. The edges of the bed plate 6 are spaced from the edges of the frame and insulated therefrom indicated at 8. The edges of the facing I extend beyond the edges of the plate and are provided with U- shaped binding strips 9 embracing the edges. he binding strips being secured by the screws Hi to the supporting frame.

These binding '55 strips serve to laterally support or limit the movement of the bed plate 6.

The cover or hold-on plate, designated generally by the numeral I I, comprises the border frame 52 formed of angled stock and arranged with the angle facing inwardly and downwardly as shown at Fig. 2. Within this frame is an open work grid consisting of two sets of grid strips I3 and 94 arranged in angular crossing relation to each other, the grid strips being oppositely slotted at E5 so that the strips may be arranged in. interlocking or interengaging relation with the lower edges N5 of the strips in the same plane. Their upper edges are also preferably in the same plane. The ends of the strips are arranged within the angles of the border frame as shown in Fig. 2.

The lower edges of strips of the embodiment illustrated are notched at I! to receive the clamping strips id for the grid facing sheet Hi. This sheet i9 is desirably formed of woven asbestos and is stretched across the lower edges of the grid strips in supported relation thereto. The edges of the facing sheet I9 are embraced by the 4 binding strips 18 which also serve as clamping members for the grid strips as is best shown in Fig. 2. A screen 2! preferably of woven wire 'is arranged uponthe grid with its edges within the border frame and draped over the ends of the grid strips. Clamping bolts 22 secure the grid facing I9, the grid strips and the screen.

The open work grid formed by the grid strips as described provides for the free escape or passage of steam or vapors or gases which may be discharged from the Work being heated or scorched as is conveniently shown at 23.

The hold-down cover is provided with pivot ears 24 mounted on the pivot rod 25, which is in turn mounted for limited vertical movement in the vertically elongated bearing openings 26 of the ears 29. Stops 2'! and 28 on the hinge members 24 and 29 coaet to support the cover in open position.- This mounting allows the coverto adjust itself to the thickness of the particular work being treated and it allows the full weight of the cover to rest upon the work. A handle 3Bis provided atthe front of the cover.

A thermostatic control unit 3!, shown conventionally at Fig. 3,- is preferably provided this being providedwithan adjusting member 32, details of which are'not illustrated as they form'no part of my present invention.

My improved scorcher or drying machine is highly efficient and enables the treatment of printing mats and other work preparatory for enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I.

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine in the class described; the combination with a supporting frame, of a platen comprising a bed plate of uniform thickness dis-- posed on said frame with heat transfer insulation between said plate and frame, an asbestos platen facing sheet arranged over said bed plate with its edgesiextending beyond the: edges of thebed plate, a U-shaped binding forJthei edges of said sheet secured to said supporting frame. and constituting retaining means for said bed plate, a cover comprisinga border frame of angle section disposed to face inwardly and downwardly, sets of spaced parallel metal grid strips disposed vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in crossing relation and oppositely slotted at their crossing points for interlocking engagement with their lower edges in the same plane, the ends of the strips being disposed within the angles of the frame, a screen arranged upon the upper edges ofthe grid with its edges within the frame, a grid facing sheet of asbestos disposed on the under side of the grid strips in supported relation thereto,

and means for heating said platen bed plate.

2. In a machine inthe-class described, the combination with a supporting frame, of a platen comprising'a bed plate of uniform thickness disposedon said frame with heat transfer insulation between said plate and frame, an asbestos platen facing sheet arranged over said bed plate, a covercomprising a border frame of angle section disposed to face inwardly and downwardly, sets of spaced parallel metal grid strips disposed vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in crossing relation and oppositely slotted at their crossing points for interlocking engagement with their lower edges in the same plane, the ends of the strips being disposed within the angle of the frame, a screen arranged upon the upper edges of the'grid with its edges within the frame, a grid facing sheet of asbestos disposed on the under side of the grid strips in supported relation thereto, and means for heating said platen bed plate.

3. In a machine in the class described, the combination with a supporting frame, of a platen comprising a bed plate of uniform thickness disposed on-said frame with heat transfer insulation between said plate and frame, an asbestos platen facing sheet arranged over said bed plate, a cove comprising a border'fram'e of angle section disposed to face inwardly 'a'nd' downwardly; sets of spaced parallel metal grid. strips I disposed verticall'yed'gewise' with the strips of the sets in crossing relation andoppositely'slotted' at'their crossin'g-points for interlocking engagement with their lower edges in the same plane, the ends of the strips being disposed within the angles of the frameand being notched on their und'eredges, a screen arranged upon the upper edges of the grid with its ed'geswithin the frame; a grid facing sheet of asbestos disposed on the under side of the grid strips in supported relation thereto, U-shaped binding strips for the edges of said grid facing sheet engaging the notched portions of said grid strips, bolts on said border frame disposed through such binding strips, means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited vertical movement thereof when in closed position, and means for heating'said platen bed plate.

4. In a machine in the class described, the combination of a platen having heating means associated therewith, a cover comprising a border frame of. angle section disposed to face inwardly and downwardly, sets of spaced parallel metal grid strips disposed vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in crossing relation and oppositely slotted at their crossing points for interlocking engagement with their lower edges in the same plane, the ends of the strips being disposed within the angles of the frame and being notched on their under edges, a grid facing sheet of asbestos disposed on the under side of the grid strips in Supported relation thereto, binding strips" for the edges'of said grid facing engaging the notched portions of said grid strips, bolts on said border frame disposed through such binding strips, means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited vertical movementv thereof when in closed position, and means for heating said platen bed plate.

5. Ina machine in the class described, the combination of a platen having heating means associated therewith, a cover comprising a border frame of anglesection disposed to face inwardly and downwardly, sets of spaced. parallel metal grid strips disposed vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in. crossingrelation and oppositely slotted at their crossing pointsfor interlocking engagement with their lower edges in thesame. plane, the. ends of the strips being disposed within the angles of the frame and with their. upper edges. in. supported relation to the inwardly projecting flange of the frame, a grid facing sheet. of asbestos. disposed on the under side of the grid strips insupportedrelation thereto,. means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited. vertical movement thereof when in. closedposition, and means for heating said platen bed plate.

6. In a machine in the class described, the combination of a platen having heating means associated therewith, a cover comprising a border frame of angle section disposed to face inwardly and downwardly, sets of spaced parallel metal grid strips disposed vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in crossing relation and oppositel slotted at their crossing points for interlocking engagement with their lower edges in the same plane, the ends of the strips being. disposed within the angles of the frame, a screen arranged upon the upper edges of the grid with its edges within thev frame, a grid facing sheet of asbestos disposed on the. under side of the grid strips in supported relation thereto, means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited vertical" movement. thereof when. in closed position, andlmeans for heating saidplaten bed plate.

7. In a machine ofltheclass described the combination of a platen adapted to. be heated and providedv with. a sheet asbestos facing, a cover comprising a frame having a horizontally projecting portion, sets of spaced parallel grid strips" disposedv vertically edgewise with the strips of the sets in crossing relation and slotted at their crossing points for interlocking engagement' with their lower edges in the same plane,

the ends of the strips being in thrust sustaining engagement with th horizontally projecting por-- tion of said frame, an asbestos sheet facing for said grid disposed on the under side of the grid' strips in supported relation thereto, the edges of the facing being secured to said frame, and means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited vertical movement thereof when the cover is adjusted upon work disposed on said platen.

'vmg a horizontally pron and slotted at their the'strips being in thrust sustaining engagement with the horizontally projecting portion of said frame, a. facing for said grid disposed on the Number 6 under side of the grid strips in supported relation thereto, the edges of the facing being secured to said frame, and means for swingably supporting said cover permitting limited vertical movement thereof When the cover is adjusted upon Work disposed on said platen.

DONALD E. SUTTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1 159,696 Mayall Feb. 9, 1875 296,049 Pearce Apr. 1, 1884 1,910,294 Kaminski May 23, 1933 I 2,007,716 Green July 9, 1935 12,080,697 Clark May 18, 1937 2,144,864 Williams Jan. 24, 1939 

